Below is a press release from JCPA (Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the national JCRC agency with which we connect) expressing the national community’s condolences over the loss of Polish President Kaczynski, Mrs. Kaczynski, and other national leaders. Also, here is a link to an article in today’s JTA about Jewish/Polish relations that I think you will find interesting. Like close siblings, the two sides don’t always agree, but the relationship is solid and appreciated.

NEW YORK - Dr. Conrad Giles, chairman of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, released the following statement on the tragic plane crash this weekend that took the lives of Poland's President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria, and numerous members of his government.

"President Kaczynski was a friend to Israel, a foe to persecution and anti-Semitism, and a valuable partner with the Jewish community in Poland who helped Polish Jews joyfully exhibit their rich heritage. The Polish people share a special bond with the American Jewish community as a significant number of American Jews can trace their lineage there, and we were heartbroken when news broke that in an unimaginable moment the future of Poland was once again tragically changed forever. However, the Polish people are a proud and resilient people and we are confident they will rise above this tragedy and grow stronger as a nation. We mourn with them during this difficult period and stand with them as they begin the arduous task of reassembling a government." ### JCPA, the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community, serves as the national coordinating and advisory body for the 14 national and 125 local agencies comprising the field of Jewish community relations.